Alzheimer's awareness advocates to tackle the canal

Brandy Elliott, of Silver Spring, Michael Shivik, of Leesburg, Va., and Joseph Konier of Rockville take part in the 2006 Tour de Canal, a canal bike ride geared to raise money for Alzheimer's research.

An annual tradition is pedaling on this weekend as cyclists tackle the canal to benefit the national capital area of the Alzheimer's Association, a group that provides resources and support for those suffering with the debilitating condition. The 13th annual Tour de Canal will take adventurous riders down the entire 184-mile length of the canal — from Cumberland to Georgetown in Washington, D.C.

The tour was launched in 1997 with eight people and raised $8,000. In recent years, fundraising has totaled near $300,000. There are as many as five million people living with Alzheimer's in the U.S., according to the group. Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that impairs memory and thinking skills and eventually hampers the ability to complete simple tasks, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Registration has closed for the 184-mile and 100-mile bike-rides that will take cyclists down the scenic canal over two days. Cyclists can register until Sunday morning for the 20-mile Memory Ride, which will take place Sunday and bring riders from Georgetown to Carderock and back. Bikers who take part in the Memory Ride will cross the finish line with the rest of the tour and celebrate at the Tour de Canal Victory Party.

Those who take on the longer ride train extensively for the challenge, according to Chris Mullen, a Tour de Canal committee member.

"The thing I'm proudest of about the Tour de Canal is we take what I call recreational riders and we convert them into people that can do back-to-back 100 mile rides," Mullen said.

Many of the riders have family members affected by Alzheimer's, he said.

"People have been touched by it," Mullen said. "The best description of Alzheimer's I've heard is that it's a thief — it steals the person you know."

Despite the down economy, the group is hoping to raise another $300,000. About 200 people are expected to participate in the long-distance rides and the 20-mile Memory Ride, Mullen said.

For more information about the tour, contact the Alzheimer's Association at tourdecanalnca@alz.org or 703-359-4440. For more information about the Alzheimer's Association, visit www.alz.org.

Potomac resident

helps others read

Jim Sneed of Potomac has been appointed to the executive board of the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. Sneed volunteers with the literacy council as a tutor and tutor trainer, has tutored in reading at Rock Forest Elementary School and volunteers with an adaptive ski program for disabled skiers. He is retired as a partner in the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery.

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County was established in 1963 and aims to help adults learn, speak, read and write English.

Preview America's Best Idea'

The Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and the Town of Poolesville will host a free preview screening of the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." The documentary tells the story of Americans who strove to preserve our nation's most special places for the use and enjoyment of all people. The 12-hour, 6-part series will premiere on PBS stations on Sept. 27. A special 45-minute preview will be shown on a large outdoor movie screen at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whalen Commons, 19701 Fisher Ave. in Poolesville.

Kudos

Congratulations to Potomac resident Emanuel Anagnostiadis, who was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a court of honor held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Aug. 23. Manoli is a member and former senior patrol leader of Boy Scout Troop 1434, and according to his scoutmaster Geoffrey Wolfe, has emerged as "one of the best youth leaders we have ever had. His Scouting career to date has involved every aspect of Scouting that Troop 1434 offers — skill in the outdoors, demonstrated leadership of other youth, and extraordinary service in the community and particularly to his church," Wolfe said in a statement.

Those interested in Troop 1434 should call Wolfe at 301-365-2347. For more information about scouting, visit the Boy Scouts of America's National Capital Area Council Web site at www.boyscouts-ncac.org.

-Potomac resident Caroline Richmond recently attended the 25th annual Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, a week-long workshop for children's writers in New York state. As a part of the workshop, Richmond attended manuscript-consulting sessions with Kim Griswell, senior editor of Highlights for Children. To learn more about the Highlights Foundation, geared to raise the level of the quality of writing and illustrating for children, visit www.Highlightsfoundation.org.

This column is for you. Send press releases, news tips and other information to Erin Donaghue by phone to 301-280-3007, by e-mail edonaghue@ gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.